UCI men’s soccer moves to No. 3 in the nation for highest ranking in its history

The UC Irvine men’s soccer team has moved to No. 3 in the nation this week in the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America poll.

It is the highest ranking in program history for the Anteaters, who are 8-0-1 on the season under first-year head coach Chris Volk.

UCI received one first-place vote in the poll for the first time and has 526 total points.

Notre Dame tops the poll with 592 points and UCLA is second with 542.

The Anteaters open Big West Conference play this week, traveling to Cal Poly San Luis Obipso Thursday and UC Santa Barbara Saturday for 7 p.m. matches.

UCI senior Gor Kirakosyan earned his second straight Big West Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring a goal in each win over UNLV and Utah Valley at the UNLV Rebel Classic last weekend.

— From staff reports